Different Colors of Black

From L to R: Row 1: Yoruba, Samburu, Pygmy. Row 2: Maasai, Jarawa, Ovahimba. Row 3: Angolan, Ashanti. Row 4: Tuareg, San, Anlo-Ewe.

There's a skin dilemma in African. Women feel there is such a thing as being "too black." One in three women in South Africa use skin bleaching products to lighten her appearance. Even some men have opted for a lighter shade. One man commented, "I like white people. Black people are seen as dangerous; that's why I don't like being black. People treat me better now because I look like I'm white."

Many have debated whether the need stems from low self-esteem, a social fad or fascination, or from self-hate. Entrenched in the minds of many Africans from a young age is the adage "if it's white, it's all right." Nigerians are the biggest users with 77% of women using bleaching products. Many use creams containing steroids and mercury and sometimes even chemically burn their faces.

Reflection: I find this so ironic because in the United States we are trying to do the exact opposite. Men and women spend hours in a tanning bed risking skin cancer to look darker because "tan fat is better than white fat." Whether darkening or lightening your skin their is harsh criticism. Beauty is a constantly being redefined but why is it such a hot topic? Let people do what makes them feel beautiful.

Africa: Where black is not really beautiful

Written by: Pumza Fihlani

Eko Atlantic Project in Nigeria

Design concept for the center of the city.

My first impression when reading about this new "Eldorado" was it was going to be Africa's grand version of Dubai. Eko Atlantic is aiming to become the financial center of Nigeria with plenty of large banks already on board with the development. The multi-billion dollar investment is provided by private investors, planners, engineers and contractors with the slogan "investing in Africa has never been more attractive." The Eko Atlantic will ideally take some of the economic pressure off of Lagos as Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. The new development will provide space and building for companies looking to station themselves on the West coast of Africa.

 A second design concept.

Eko Atlantic isn't just a dream for the future. Plans for the city started 2003 when the Lagos State Government was in search of a permanent solution to protect Bar Beach in Victoria Island from the effects of severe coastal erosion and flooding. Since then construction is underway and the designs make the entire city a work of art. 

From Eko Boulevard, Afren Tower (center) and the first of five Eko Pearl Towers (right), form the embryo of what is to become Eko Atlantic's bustling skyline. 

On the development scale, Nigeria still lags behind South Africa but it is the fastest growing economy. It has a growing middle class and an able workforce. Nigeria is properly placed along the coast to be a center for trade.

Design and Construction photos for the Eko Atlantic.

More project details can be found at www.ekoatlantic.com

Using Mobile Phones in Africa

Banks are now forming partnerships with phone companies to provide financial services to Africans who have may never used them before. It started with mobile banking and has since then exploded with new products. Banks are trying to provide approval for accounts and lending options through mobile devices. Mobile phone providers are battling fiercely to partner with banks and gain market share. Look at the distribution of how Africans use their cell phones.

Only one third of adults have access to bank accounts in Sub-Sahara Africa. If financing can be provided to entrepreneurs in a greater radius it will provide for the first time in many African's lives great economic opportunity. It could also offer women a way to become economically independent from their husbands and finance start-up companies. The communication industry is growing fast and will need to employ workers the larger each provider gets. 

The battle between Africa’s mobile phone companies and banks is a boon for financial inclusion

Written By: Omar Mohammed

Africa is growing - fast

Data World Bank, UN

Growth is a common phenomenon among Sub-Sahara African countries. GDP's are rising more than 5% in 24 countries, inflation is slowing, and a young workforce is present. This article was a promotion by GE who is very present in Africa and clearly excited about their investment because it was nothing short of a love letter. 

I found the Technology hubs to be very interesting. They are startup hubs to encourage entrepreneurs. It's providing a new frontier for Africans and a location for networking and brainstorming. Africa's GDP's are expected to rise to to internet connection and hopefully boost technology research and development. 

Reflection: I honestly can't imagine a world without internet. Even this class would be impossible without it. How many start-ups in the US just started with a simple web page? Chegg Textbooks started as a small business in Iowa that now ships textbooks all over the country. Social media giants like MySpace and Facebook made possible through innovation and an internet connection. Bloggers and app designers make thousands off of ideas and access to the online market. It will be interesting to see what Africa can do with the internet, and ultimately connect them instantly with the rest of the world market online.

Africa's neither 'rising' nor 'falling' but it is growing - fast
Sponsored content by GE

Improvements in Malaria Vaccines

(AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)

Children under the age of five are Malaria's primary victims. Up to 585,000 people die of Malaria in a year and 90% of those victims are in Sub-Sahara Africa. After 30 years of research the first Malaria vaccine has been introduced. It has proven 30% effective in infants and 40% in toddlers. So how does it work?

Malaria is not a virus or a bacteria but an aggressive parasite. For someone to contract Malaria they must first be bitten by a mosquito carrying the parasite. It then takes a few minutes for the parasite to travel to the liver where it remains for five days cultivating until it begins to multiply and then affect the bloodstream introducing the sickness. The victim will then experience fever, chills,  and sweating. The new vaccine targets the parasite while it's in the liver and attempting to multiply. Advancements in the study of the immune system in the last twenty-five years have made the vaccine possible.

Reflection: It's hard to imagine that out of 30 million babies born, over 500k of them will die of Malaria. One line of the article in-particular made me think, "...it's a country where your siblings die [while you're growing up]." It's hard to imagine how Malaria affects family-life in Africa and economically the affect is calculated in billions of dollars. It will be exciting to see the second generation of this vaccine's impact.

The first malaria vaccine will not eradicate the disease yet - but will save millions of lives
Written by: Peter Guest

African's Love President Obama

Kenyans welcoming President Barack Obama.

Americans wonder why President Obama's approval ratings in African countries are so high across the board. Although former President Busch increased funding for African aid during his administration, Obama's administration has dramatically decreased funding. So how does he bode so well with African citizens?

President Obama is first an foremost an American but is gaining respect for having a "global personality." He made an appearance in Jamaica and successfully greeted the crowd in the native language. He respectfully pronounces "Pakistan" in the voice that actual Pakistanis use. He playfully joined in on a dance in Kenya to entertain the crowd. When it comes to hot political topics he stands firm on sensitive African issues such as LGBT rights. Pres. Obama is simply gaining popularity by not acting as the patron saint to developing countries.

Reflection: I think this goes back to the "myth of savage Africa" and how Africa is still viewed today. President Obama may gain some favoritism as the first American president with Kenyan heritage but that kind of popularity would be short-lived. He's one of the first world-power influences to look at Africa as an equal and find a trading partner. Obama's views of Africa are completely polar opposite to the views of other world-powers, such as Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France. He recognizes the fact that Africa has a lot to offer economically and it doesn't need handouts to succeed.

Why Africa loves Obama - and it's not why you might think

Written by: Omar Mohammed

#BringBackOurGirls The Kidnapping in Nigeria

In April of 2014, young schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok by an Islamic group known as Boko Haram. The extremists do not believe in educating young women and are particularly hateful of the Western influenced education in Nigeria. They believe that schooling should follow traditional Islamic teaching. The kidnapped girls were presumably taken into the Sambisa Forest where they were held and taken in for cooks, sex slaves, and sold for a bride price.

Reflection: I find it outrageous that an Islamic group would call for their teachings in a city that is primarily Christian. I'm even more shocked at the Nigerian government's lack of response. The actual number of young women missing was never even fully disclosed. Boko Haram is not a unknown name in Nigeria, they've murdered and kidnapped men and women on numerous occasions. It's alarming to think that the Nigerian police or military can't enable their troops fast enough to respond to these terrorist groups.

I think Boko Haram's view of women highlights the gender gap still prevalent in African society. While most Nigerian's probably don't feel as extremely as Boko Haram does, there is still the general consensus that women do not belong among the educated in society. It will take multiple generations change attitudes about women in society.

Nigeria Abductions: 6 Reasons Why the World Should Demand Action

 Written By: Holly Yan